DIL Editorial
Thoughtful perspectives from the Daily Inter Lake editorial board—local viewpoints on issues shaping Northwest Montana.
Mall redevelopment may be a gamble worth taking
Developers have proposed an intriguing plan for Kalispell Center Mall that promises a bright future for the town’s…
Timber company turns it around
Plum Creek Timber Co. offered a recession-weary Flathead Valley some encouraging news last week when company officials noted its manufacturing facilities here are beginning to stabilize after a rough couple of year…
FWP wrongly under assault
A legislative dog-pile, of sorts, is in the works against Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, with some Republicans wrongly characterizing the agency as somehow being out of control.
Pedestrian tunnel welcome
Pedestrian traffic will be getting a subterranean boost this year with a new tunnel under U.S. 93.
Work-comp fix is good news
Before Wednesday, the outlook was pretty sketchy for a major workers’-compensation reform bill before the Montana Legislature.
Japan's triple punch devastating
It was hard to comprehend the magnitude of the disastrous destruction that struck Japan with the March 11 earthquake, and it has been even more difficult to fathom in the days since.
Wolf count misleading at best
Federal wildlife officials recently announced that the Northern Rockies wolf population dropped by 5 percent to an estimated 1,651 wolves in five states, prompting the environmental conflict industry to make predic…
Act now to revamp pot law
It’s hard to predict what kind of reforms will come to pass for Montana’s medical marijuana law, but one thing is clear: The state Legislature must pass some significant changes before its business is done in Helen…
Don't privatize vets home
Lawmakers can hardly be blamed for scrutinizing a significant cost disparity in operating the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls and another veterans facility in Glendive, but an effort to slash funding in the…
Congratulations, Wildcats
Three games, three victories and one more state title for Columbia Falls.
Settlement terms should be public
The Daily Inter Lake ran a story Sunday on a proposed settlement between the state of Montana and victims of the asbestos health disaster in Libby.
Sound schools are our responsibility
When we look at the institutions that have stood the test of time in the Flathead Valley, our schools are at the top of the list. They have been our pride and joy, not only for the academic excellence and winning t…
It's time to kick spending habit
Congressional negotiators avoided a so-called government shutdown this week — two days before money was about to run out.
Let's learn from Wisconsin's example
The protests backed by unions and Democrats in Madison, Wis., are getting widespread attention that is much deserved, because it is bringing the nature and costs of collective bargaining to the forefront for all to…
It's time for real sacrifice
Sen. Jon Tester’s take is that Congress needs to be deliberative and careful in pursuing budget cuts in the short term, and seriously scrutinize spending in all corners of government, including defense and entitlem…
School money must be shared
The Legislature and Gov. Brian Schweitzer are justified and farsighted in figuring out how oil and gas tax revenues collected by Eastern Montana school districts can be equalized with other districts in the state.